CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. — Chattooga County residents are still without water several days after flash floods ravaged the area over the weekend.
Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp toured several relief stations as help flows in on Wednesday.
Channel 2 political reporter Richard Elliot was with Kemp as he spent the day surveying the damage and speaking with residents who say they need help.
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Nick and Heather Casey own a store in Summerville called Dirt Design and Decor. Ironically, after the three feet of flood waters receded, all that was left at their store was dirt.
“The front door of our store opened up and our merchandise floated down the street. We were helpless. We just stood there and watched,” Nick Casey said.
Nick Casey guesses he lost nearly $200,000 in merchandise during the floods.
Kemp joined state, county and city leaders and spoke with Casey and other neighbors about relief efforts. They are looking at federal assistance, including possible low-interest loans to small businesses, but food and water are the most pressing needs.
“Our main concern is making sure we’re keeping water for individuals who need it, and getting meals to them so they can survive,” Kemp said.
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Mary Miles Kokotek is one of many people who drove up to get a supply of bottled water for their families.
“We’ve had no running water for about three days now,” she told Elliot.
Kemp promised state resources for as long as needed as county officials are working to get the water system up and running again.
“We have been here and we’re not going anywhere, and we’re going to hang in here as long as anybody needs us, and we’ll do what we can to help,” Kemp said.
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Because there’s no running water, Chattooga County Schools will remain closed for the rest of the week. The District is hoping to get them open by early next week.
Some business owners are hoping the City of Summerville works to correct some of the sewer issues in the hopes this kind of flooding doesn’t happen again.
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